Master of Modelling and Simulation
Advances in numerical methods and improved computer performance have made numerical simulation an essential tool for both industry and research. Aerospace, space, automotive, electronuclear, power generation, and materials synthesis industries in particular make extensive use of this field. Similarly, the major research organisations, such as the CEA, CNRS and ONERA use simulation to predict the behaviour of complex systems like future fusion reactors, power lasers or chemical kinetics, and to study natural phenomena such as the climate and the evolution of stars.
The master’s degree in Modelling and Simulation offers a triple education in Physics, Applied Mathematics and Computer Science. In fact:
- The implementation and development of numerical approximation methods first requires an understanding of the equations and phenomena to which they relate. Similarly, the interpretation of computing results requires a good understanding of physics.
- The study of algorithm properties and the accuracy of the results produced from this study is the field of numerical analysis – a branch of applied mathematics.
- These algorithms cannot be used efficiently without extensive knowledge of computer science.
Particular emphasis is placed on modelling complex phenomena on various scales, from the behaviour of materials to astrophysics.
The first year provides training in the main fields of physics and applied mathematics for modelling. The course, which principally takes place on the University of Versailles-Saint-Quentin campus, consists of a core curriculum, an internship and options chosen from among those offered by the various partners in the master’s course. The core curriculum classes are devoted to:
- the study of basic physics models;
- acquiring tools for their analysis and approximation.
They are complemented by:
- a languages and humanities module;
- a two-month internship in a public research laboratory or company laboratory.
Finally, the student continues his or her training by choosing options, dedicated, among other things, to:
- the analysis of simulation methods and models;
- solid physics;
- an introduction to experimental methods.
During the second year students undertake a general languages, humanities and innovation module. The scientific classes are divided into three specialties:
- Simulation in Physics
- Numerical analysis
- High Performance Computing
A four-month (or more) internship in a university laboratory or in a company research department provides an introduction to research and is the subject of a thesis and oral presentation.
The classes and internship opportunities are diverse, so that each student is able to build the course suited to his or her training and personal objective. Each student is supervised by a tutor, chosen from among the master’s lecturers. The tutor advises and helps students to select courses and an internship best suited to their goals. The partnership with leading research organisations, such as ONERA and CEA, provides a significant number of job offers and thesis proposals following the course, with opportunities in both the industry and academic research.
- Plaquette du master (PDF - 1.89 MB)
